Which items are considered non-absorbing gear?

• A. Spring steel, composite, rigid, and bungee cord
• B. Aluminum, titanium, steel, and carbon fiber
• C. Wood, plastic, glass, and rubber
• D. Fiberglass, ceramic, plastic, and zinc

Answer: (A)

Non-absorbing gear is about carrying and transmitting loads with little energy dissipation; these parts rely on stiffness and structural integrity rather than damping. Spring steel offers high stiffness and excellent elastic return, so it can take and release loads without permanent energy loss. Composites provide a very favorable stiffness-to-weight ratio, letting a gear structure stay strong and rigid under load. A truly rigid design means the geometry itself carries the load with minimal deformation, so there’s little opportunity for energy absorption through movement. A bungee cord, while elastic, is used as a tension member in some gear assemblies to maintain alignment and preload rather than to act as the main energy absorber, so it functions in a non-damping role within the system. Together, these characteristics align with non-absorbing gear, where the emphasis is on stiffness and load transfer rather than energy absorption.